Javi the Frog's Travel Blog

There are some pockets of Costa Rica that don't have a pinch of modern living and that's the best reason to visit! The small town of Monteverde sits off a long dirt road branching from the Pan American Highway in the Central Highlands region of the country. You probably want to visit Monteverde because of the stunning cloud forest, but there are several other attractions that you can pack into a 24-hour visit at this mountaintop haven. Won't you join me in all of my favorite adventures of this region?... [More]

One of the easiest ways to get around the country is with a Costa Rica car rental. Since everything is fairly spread out, public transportation can take nearly twice as long to get to a destination. Having access to a rental car simply makes it easier to explore all the natural splendors scattered throughout Costa Rica at your own pace. I may not actually be able to drive a car, but I've had plenty of experience getting across the country on a vehicle so I've got plenty of advice driving in Costa Rica is quite different than driving in many other places! Here are a few tricks of the trade and helpful tips that will make your drive smooth and serene - after all, the roadways in my homeland boast some of the most magnificent views... [More]

You may think that Costa Rica is only for thrill-seekers and sun bathers, but it offers plenty of options to people of all ages! Throughout my travels across this great land, I've run into diverse crowds of people, and people in post-retirement - in my froggy opinion - are among the happiest. After your children have left the nest and your career has ended, what better way is there to celebrate than an adventure in the rainforest? Here are some of the most ideal things to do on your post-retirement trip to Costa Rica come and hop along with me!... [More]

Have you ever wanted to wake up and see a towering volcano out your window? At the Arenal Volcano Inn, that's a reality! During my recent travels across Costa Rica, I was lucky enough to stay here, and I must say it lived up to all the hype! Featuring 25 hotel rooms, this Inn is fairly secluded so you'll be able to relax, but it's within just a few steps or hops in my case to some of the best resources available at in La Fortuna. Not convinced yet? I'll share with you the tales of my adventure and it might just change your mind... [More]

Living in the rainforest of Costa Rica, I may not have immediate access to music like you imagine, but I get to hear some of the most beautiful natural harmonies in the world. From the birds chirping tunes to monkeys howling in unison, nature is one of the greatest places to find entertainment. Costa Rica has a long tradition of folklore music that is unparalleled, and modern music is similarly as unique. You'll find people dancing the night away to salsa, meringue or cumbia rhythms in discos every weekend. Sometimes you just can't help yourself but join in on the fun! As one of the most vibrant parts of Costa Rica culture, I'd like to share with you the history and background of all the sounds you hear looming across the country... [More]

Have you ever been white water rafting? It's one of the most thrilling experiences I've ever had!! The great people at Wave Expeditions in La Fortuna helped me get over my fear of raging down a river for the first time. Man, was I nervous! But I was able to lead the boat down the rapids and my sticky feet pads made it easy for me to grip on tight... [More]

When you're planning what to do in Costa Rica, your to-do list is probably as big as the Arenal Volcano! Although you wish you could spend two weeks exploring my homeland, chances are you only have a few days to pack in the fun. That's why I'm here! Jaco is a must-see beachside gem close to San Jose, but there is a lot going on in this bustling destination. If you only have 24 hours in Jaco, here are some of the activities you simply can't pass up!... [More]

Have you ever imagined going to a place where you can explore 13 different ecosystems, see up to 140 mammal species, 400 bird species, 116 amphibian and reptile species, 40 different types of fish and at least 500 species of trees? Well, this place exists! Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and easily one of my favorite places to visit. Located along the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park features a lowland rainforest, highland cloud forest, jolillo palm forest, mangrove wetlands, coastal and marine habitats. I have many friends that live here, so I've visited Corcovado plenty of times! I'd love to share my experiences along the way... [More]

Do you love chocolate? Of course you do what kind of question is that?! In Costa Rica, we have some of the most wonderful chocolate that is made by the country's indigenous Bribri tribe. You just have to try it! You can actually spend the entire day learning how food is grown by the Bribri, go on a hike through a cacao plantation and see a demonstration of the cacao paste process using tools that date back to pre-Columbian times. It's a sight to see can you already smell the chocolate in the air? Yum!... [More]

When you're planning a trip, you may think that coming during rainy season will put a damper on your trip, but not in Costa Rica! Our rainy season is different than most other places because it doesn't rain all the time, and even though Costa Rica is tiny, the various micro climates experience different intensities of rain. Did you know that rainy season is the perfect time to travel to Costa Rica for white water rafting? Or that this is one of the most beautiful times of the year because all of the forests are luscious and green?... [More]

Living in the wilds of Costa Rica is always an adventure, and I meet a lot of interesting animals along the way. But I must say - I'm never able to meet any wildcats in fear they may eat me! Margays, sometimes mistaken for domestic house cats, are highly endangered, adorable and very scary to little frogs like me. These guys are smaller than ocelots, but they look very similar. They are about the size of a large house cat and have a long tail that is more than half the length of their bodies! And their paws, they're huge! See why I stay away? They tend to live in the thick coastal lowlands, but can also be found in the mountains. Over the years, I've done a lot of research on these creatures and watched them from a far. Let me share with you what I have learned! ... [More]

Costa Rica is ranked as one of the top eco-friendly destinations in the world, with 25 percent of the land protected or conserved. Many believe this trend stems from a book that was published in the late 1980s by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch called "A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica". This bird-watching guide drew more people to the area and a plan for nation-wide tourism was born. Costa Rica is home to a rich and diverse environment where thousands of flora and fauna species live - but you probably already know that. As a tree frog, I've always been pleased with the way humans enjoy my country; it makes me feel like a celebrity... [More]

I can tell you that one of the greatest places to view Costa Rica is from high up in the sky! While you can't sit up in the canopy with me, you can go high up into the air with a gyrocopter. Have you ever heard of a gyrocopter? Also known as a gyroplane or autogryo, these open-air planes are small helicopters that fly high above some of Costa Rica's most beautiful attractions, like Manual Antonio National Park and the Arenal Volcano. What's really neat is that you can also fly just above these places for a view that no one else can experience. Only two people can fit in a gyroplane (and maybe a frog), making for an intimate and unforgettable ride... [More]

I've made friends with some anteaters during my travels throughout Costa Rica, and some of the friendliest are the silky or pygmy anteaters. These little guys are fairly common, and they are the smallest anteater species in the entire world! Maybe that's why I like them so much their relatives are much larger and can weigh up to 18 pounds. They are all distant relatives of the sloth, yet they are the only surviving member of the Cyclopes genus. These little guys and gals are usually found trotting around lowlands and middle-elevation habitats throughout the country. Silky anteaters live all along Central and South America, and they tend to live in little clans in the rainforest. But you may just miss these little guys they average less than a pound and grow to be only around four centimeters long!... [More]

The pristine white sands and calm waters of Playa Samara may be among the top reasons why it is a travelers' hub (I know I love hanging out here), but the eclectic and local cuisine offered in this region is just as attractive. There are plenty of Costa Rican all-inclusive resorts in the region where you can just walk to and from your hotel room. From fresh exotic fruits and organic farms to carefully crafted dishes served beach side, Playa Samara is just as much a foodie's paradise as it is a beach dweller's dream. I may only be a tree frog, but I've hoped my way through Playa Samara quite a few times and noticed the sights and smells of a few popular restaurants. Although I couldn't indulge myself, that doesn't mean you shouldn't!... [More]